November 2024
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HOW CHINA MADE A DIFFERENCE THIS MONTH
The World’s First "Electrostate"
Despite widespread disappointment with the outcomes of the UN climate talks (COP29) in Baku this November, I sense a turning point. The commitment from developed countries to channel $300 billion annually until 2035 fell far short of the $1.3 trillion requested by developing nations. Adding to the setbacks, the recent reelection of Donald Trump - who has pledged to roll back climate policies- raises the likelihood of the U.S., currently the second largest CO2 emitter and historically the largest emitter, leaving the Paris Agreement. This placed many delegates in a difficult position, forcing them to agree on what is widely seen as a 'bad deal' in Azerbaijan.
Despite sending 1,000 delegates, China was singled out as the main culprit for being the largest CO2 emitter today, having surpassed the EU in historical emissions by 2024. However, it has not committed any financial contributions to help developing countries tackle global warming. As the world's second-largest economy, yet still classified as a developing country by the WTO, the question arises: should China contribute?
At COP29, China announced again it would not agree to compulsory contributions. However, for the first time, it revealed that it had already voluntarily provided $25.5 billion to support developing countries' climate responses. Additionally, Beijing contributed over $30 billion to global finance through its Belt and Road Initiative. These contributions place China on par with the UK and as the fifth-largest financial provider globally, after Japan, Germany, the US, and France.
So, is China doing enough to tackle climate change? One of the most interesting recent articles answers that question. An analysis from CarbonBrief: Solar will send coal power tumbling by 2030, IEA data reveals.
Following the long "Age of Coal" and the "Age of Oil," we are now entering the "Age of Electricity." By 2030, global electricity generation from solar is expected to quadruple and increase more than nine-fold by 2050. This rapid expansion of solar power will drive the "Age of Electricity," accelerating the decline of fossil fuels and reversing the use of coal power by 2030. Solar energy is projected to surpass nuclear, wind, hydro, gas, and eventually coal, becoming the world's largest single source of electricity by 2033.
It is now cheaper to build onshore wind and solar power projects than new fossil-fuel plants in most parts of the world. This shift is driving the "Age of Electricity."
China played a leading role in this transformation, accounting for 60% of global renewable energy installations last year. By 2030, it is expected to add another 60% of the world’s new renewable capacity. Solar capacity is projected to exceed 16,000 GW by 2050 - 30% higher than last year's estimates and nearly 11 times greater than forecasts made in 2015. Similarly, battery storage capacity is now expected to reach 1,630 GW by 2030, a significant increase from the 1,296 GW previously predicted for 2050 just two years ago. Much of this remarkable progress can be attributed to China’s efforts.
China is poised to become the first major “ELECTROSTATE”, much like Saudi, Russia and Texas are today’s Petrostates.
Electricity demand in China is projected to grow six times faster than global energy demand through 2035, driven by advancements in AI, electric vehicles (EVs), air conditioning, and chip usage. The share of global final energy consumption met by electricity is expected to rise from 20% in 2023 to 24% by 2030, and 32% by 2050. In China, electricity already accounts for 26% of energy consumption today and is predicted to reach nearly 45% by 2050, well above the global average.
Renewable energy in China will grow 2.7 times by 2030 - falling short of the COP28 goal to triple renewables - but low-carbon energy, including renewables and nuclear, is expected to grow by 44% by 2030, outpacing global energy demand growth over the same period.
China’s rapid renewable energy expansion is set to push global fossil fuel use past its peak between 2030 and 2035. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are expected to peak imminently, with a major turning point anticipated as early as 2025.
The goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C by 2050 remains achievable - provided China continues to far exceed the Paris 2015 targets, as it has done over the past decade.
If China aspires to become the world’s first "Electrostate Superpower," does it matter that it didn’t commit funds at COP29?
The planet’s fate and global energy security are increasingly in China’s hands.
Are we still comfortable with this reality?
Should we focus on imposing green trade barriers against China, or collaborate to combat climate change?
Let’s ask our grandchildren.
CHINESE INNOVATION NEWS – NOVEMBER 2024
1. China's Autonomous Ambitions – The Robotaxi Revolution
2. China has half of top 20 science cities: Nature Index
3. Chinese team’s cell turns ambient heat into power – no sunlight required
4. The World’s Highest Bridge in China: 625 meters high and 1,429-meter span
5. Shanghai to support local biopharma firms’ overseas push
6. Scientists create novel artificial muscles
7. China Generative AI updates October 2024
(Click the links in titles below to read a larger news article on each topic)
The rise of robotaxis in China in 2024 marks a significant milestone in autonomous driving. China is now emerging as global leader in the field, fueled by technological innovation, government support, and substantial investment. Meanwhile, across the ocean, companies like Waymo and Cruise are also making notable advancements. This progress signals that robotaxis are no longer just hype -they are becoming a reality. A deep dive from TechBuzzChina provides valuable insights into this evolving landscape.
Key players in the expanding robotaxi sector include tech giants like Baidu and ambitious EV startups such as XPeng, Li Auto, and NIO. Each company is leveraging unique strategies and technologies to capture this promising market. China's robotaxi technology has advanced significantly through partnerships between tech companies, automakers, and government agencies, which provide infrastructure, subsidies, and licenses. Notably, China is the only country to have built a fully collaborative ecosystem for robotaxis to date.
Currently, 54 cities in China have launched active robotaxi pilot programs, covering a combined 32,000 kilometers of test roads. Large-scale commercialization is expected to begin by 2026. Surveys show that 60% of urban residents in China would consider using robotaxis if safety is guaranteed. To meet this demand, Chinese technology and automotive companies are investing heavily in R&D to drive this trend forward.
The article highlights leading players in China's autonomous driving market, including Tier One companies like Baidu, Pony(dot)ai, WeRide, and Momenta, as well as Tier Two contributors such as chipmaker Horizon Robotics and ADAS supplier Minieye. On the EV front, premium brands like Xpeng, Li Auto, NIO, and Huawei are taking the lead, alongside major advancements from BYD, Geely, and SAIC.
For those interested in this market, the article provides an in-depth analysis of the speed, scale, safety-first approach, and global partnerships driving China's push toward full autonomous driving. It illustrates how these strategies are helping China leapfrog into a leadership position in the future of mobility.
In 2024, Baidu unveiled Apollo ADFM, the world’s first large model supporting Level 4 autonomous driving. Apollo has safely completed over 100 million kilometers with no major accidents, and its robotaxi service, Apollo Go, has an accident rate 14 times lower than that of human drivers. Cost efficiency is a key factor for market adoption. Baidu’s sixth-generation autonomous vehicles cost approximately $28,000 per unit, enabling Level 4 robotaxi functionality. At the current rate of 23 rides per day per vehicle, Baidu estimates a payback period of 2.8 years per robotaxi.
A commonly misunderstood aspect is the cautious approach adopted by the Chinese government. Unlike San Francisco, where policy moves faster, China prioritizes safety and risk management through gradual policy adjustments. In China, cost reduction is expected to drive user adoption, potentially leading to intense price wars and losses among major players over the next years. However, the greatest challenge may be the displacement of over 1.5 million taxi drivers currently employed in the country.
I am optimistic about the future of robotaxis in China because no other country - not even the U.S. - has a sophisticated, multifaceted supply chain as vast and ready to support this sector’s growth. While the authors of the article express concerns about profitability challenges, I am less worried, as China is about to undergo an intense "red ocean" competition to determine the winners that will thrive thereafter.
The authors highlight Baidu, Huawei, and Didi Chuxing as the top contenders likely to dominate China’s robotaxi industry. While I agree, my experience suggests that in China, every emerging industry faces fierce market battles, and the ultimate winners are often not those initially predicted. Therefore, it’s unwise to discount other players just yet.
According to the Nature Index 2024 Science Cities, half of the world’s top science cities are now in China. Beijing has held the title of the world’s top science city since 2016. A major factor is its Haidian district, home to 83 colleges, including 10 of China’s top universities, such as Tsinghua University, Peking University, RUC, BNU, BUAA, and Beijing Foreign Studies University, where I studied in 1999. No other city in the world has such a dense cluster of top universities.
I estimate that over 100,000 students enrol in STEM undergraduate programs in Beijing each year. Additionally, Beijing boasts the highest number of unicorn companies globally, solidifying its status as a hub of innovation and science.
After Beijing, Shanghai ranks as the world’s second-leading science city, surpassing New York, home to top universities like Cornell, NYU, and Columbia, and Boston on number 4, known for MIT and Harvard. Nanjing holds the fifth position, just ahead of San Francisco. Other Chinese cities in the top 20 include Guangzhou, Wuhan, Hangzhou, Hefei, Tianjin, Xi’an, and Hong Kong, collectively giving China half of the top 20 spots.
Maybe less familiar cities like Chengdu and Changsha, ranked 22nd and 23rd, outperforming renowned global cities such as Cambridge, Zurich, and Munich. Of the top 100 science cities, 26 are Chinese, while 29 are American.
Another November article reports that China and the U.S. dominate global scientific research, accounting for 88% of research fronts across 11 major scientific fields.
The U.S. leads in over half of the 110 research fronts, ranking first in seven areas: ecology and environmental sciences, geosciences, clinical medicine, biological sciences, astronomy and astrophysics, mathematics, economics, psychology, and other social sciences. China ranks second overall, excelling in more than 30% of the research fronts, particularly in chemistry, physics, agriculture, information, and materials science, where it holds a distinct advantage over the U.S.
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Chinese researchers have developed a method to continuously generate electricity from water in a sealed container, using ambient heat to create vapor for power generation. Unlike solar-based hydrovoltaic cells that require sunlight, their hermetic hydrovoltaic cells (HHC) operate without light and are resistant to wind and humidity. This makes them suitable for harsh environments such as deserts, humid tropical forests, and underground engineering sites.
Traditional hydrovoltaic generators face challenges, including reliance on light and wind and continuous water consumption. To address these issues, the researchers designed a sealed cell with an internal electricity generation unit made from carbon black and tissue paper, enabling capillary action. By harnessing ambient heat - an inexhaustible, low-grade energy source - the system converts it into electricity. This innovative cell delivered stable electricity output for 160 hours with minimal water consumption during the test.
This engineering marvel stands out as a testament to Chinese innovation. Located in Guizhou Province, the construction of the world’s highest bridge began in 2021 and is set to be completed by June 2025. The bridge, spanning 2,890 meters and rising 645 meters above the ground, is a steel truss suspension bridge with a main span of 1,420 meters. The main tower was completed a year ago, and the cables have now been installed. The project, with a planned construction timeline of 42 months, has a total cost of $280 million USD.
Guizhou, nestled in the mountains of southwestern China, is home to nearly half of the world’s top 100 bridges, despite being one of China’s most impoverished provinces. While building these bridges in Guizhou may not make immediate economic sense, they are part of Beijing’s "Go West" strategy, aimed at reducing regional disparities and fostering economic development in the region.
The bridge is a hallmark to China’s advanced engineering capabilities. While the construction itself was complex, the preparation was equally impressive, involving wind tunnel tests, digital simulations, and detailed geological surveys before breaking ground. Beyond its engineering feats, the bridge is to also become a major tourist attraction, featuring glass-plank restaurants, a sightseeing elevator, viewing corridors, rock climbing, and even bungee jumping.
Would you dare to take the leap and scream your lungs out as you plummet hundreds of meters?
Last month, I discussed how U.S. legislators passed the Biosecure Act, which targets Chinese biotech companies and could escalate into a "Biotechnology War" between China and the U.S. In response, the Shanghai government has launched an initiative to support Chinese biopharmaceutical firms in obtaining certification for their drugs and medical devices from the U.S. FDA and the European Medicines Agency. This is part of a broader effort to enhance Shanghai’s international competitiveness in the biopharmaceutical sector.
The action plan aims to help local firms expand globally, with a strong focus on R&D in areas such as synthetic biology, cell and gene therapy, nucleic acid drugs, brain-computer interfaces, and AI-driven pharmaceuticals.
In 2023, there were 58 overseas out-licensing cases, granting external companies the rights to manufacture, market, or sell innovative pharmaceutical products developed in China. Another 34 deals were reported in the first half of the year alone. To further boost the biopharmaceutical sector, the municipal government introduced guidelines to support innovation and development across the supply chain. These guidelines address R&D, clinical applications, regulatory approvals, product promotion, corporate growth, financing, and international collaboration.
I sense a second Chinese ‘Electrical Vehicle’ and ‘battery’ tsunami in the making to hit western shores with overcapacity of medical drugs and equipment by 2030. Under a Trump 2.0 presidency, the biopharma industry might be fighting internally battles on maintaining the high drug prices in the US instead of preparing for a China tsunami.
A recent breakthrough by Chinese scientists could accelerate the arrival of futuristic 3D-printed muscle fiber technology. They have developed a novel artificial muscle made from carbon, a fundamental component of all known living organisms. Carbon materials, renowned for their lightweight, superior strength, excellent electrical conductivity, and flexibility, have demonstrated great potential in artificial muscle applications.
These artificial muscles not only mimic the function of natural muscles but also offer unique benefits, including self-repair, exceptional elasticity, and faster response times, surpassing the capabilities of conventional mechanical joints. The researchers successfully integrated the artificial muscle into a robotic arm, enabling it to rapidly reposition and lift loads up to 11 times its own weight.
The research team drew inspiration from the butterfly's proboscis - a long, tube-like mouthpart. Using this as a model, they developed biomimetic materials featuring a cutting-edge hydrogen-substituted graphdiyne film with an asymmetric surface structure. This artificial muscle exhibits reversible, rapid, and continuously adjustable deformation, mimicking the functionality of a butterfly's mouth.
I predict that 2025 will mark a breakthrough year for humanoid robots in Asia. With advancements in artificial muscles and generative AI, we may be entering a new era where lifelike robots begin outperforming humans both mentally and physically.
7. China Generative AI updates of November 2024
China has created a new specialist committee on AI to help spearhead efforts to promote the country’s perspective on how the fast-growing technology should be governed. Alibaba Cloud founder Wang Jian was named as chief expert of the committee. Alibaba
An AI-powered judicial platform has been registered with China's Cyberspace Administration, designed to enhance judges' work efficiency and provide easier access to legal services for the public. The platform has already compiled 320 million pieces of legal data and materials, serving as a digital assistant to judges.
OpenAI proposed the creation of a “North American Compact for AI,” uniting the U.S. and neighboring countries to streamline access to talent, funding, and supply chains for advancing AI technology. This collaboration could eventually expand into a “global network of U.S. allies and partners,” including countries in the Middle East.
Doubao, a ChatGPT-style conversational bot developed by ByteDance, has become the most popular AI app among Chinese users. Since its launch last August, the app has topped AI chatbot rankings in China, boasting 51 million monthly active users (MAUs), surpassing Baidu’s offering and the widely used Moonshot app Kimi.
Chinese unicorn Zhipu AI has added advanced AI capabilities to its video tool, Ying, rivaling OpenAI’s Sora. The tool can now generate 10-second 4K high-definition video clips at 60 frames per second.
The shortage of AI talent has sparked a recruitment battle, with companies like Xiaomi offering above-average salaries to attract top candidates. Experts in NLP and deep learning earn over $3,350 per month in China, more than double the average salary of a Chinese IT worker.
Ant International, the global division of Ant Group, is leveraging AI to enhance cross-border payments. Its FX and KYC models enable real-time global settlement services, making them more affordable for SMEs.
Biren Technology, a US-blacklisted Chinese AI unicorn chip startup, has achieved a 100% performance boost in GPU training through its collaboration with Tencent-backed Infinigence AI.
Chinese scientists have developed a large language model capable of commanding military drones to target enemy radar or communication systems. Meanwhile, OpenAI has partnered with defense tech firm Anduril to develop AI for anti-drone systems.
In Wuzhen, a small town in Zhejiang Province, a hospital is using AI to enhance services such as medical examinations, chronic disease management, and rehabilitation. This initiative aims to address the lack of accessible healthcare in rural areas and improve health literacy.
In November, I attended the 2024 WYSS (World Young Scientist Summit) European Event in Brussels - this time as a participant rather than a speaker. The event is always inspiring, bringing together Chinese scientists working in Europe and their European counterparts who collaborate with China. The main summit, held in Wenzhou, China, unites 800 scientists from 71 countries.
In an era of geopolitical protectionism, I believe scientists are breaking through the barriers of isolation, as science knows no borders. Collaboration drives progress. With China making remarkable strides in scientific research, as I often highlight in my monthly newsletter, it would be shortsighted for the EU to ignore the opportunity to partner with some of the brightest minds from China.
If you know of any other breaking China innovation news from November 2024 that I missed, do let me know so I can add it in next month’s newsletter!
KEEP TUNED!
ICT coördinator bij gemeente en OCMW Haacht.
3dThe West should accept that a new era is coming and let their dinosaur industries go extinct quietly. It's no use trying to stop evolution. Don' beat it, join it!
Policy Analyst & Author
5dhttps://www.academia.edu/125678259/Fundamentals_of_Conciliation_in_Cases_of_Trust_Deficit_when_Everyone_is_just_Mendacious?auto=download
Bridge China-European cultural differences within business environments
1wone consistent experience with predictions about growth in China, is that China consistently exceeds the most optimistic expectations. If 2.7 times growth of renewables is expected by 2030, I'd be highly surprised if they can't pump that up to tripling renewable energy as per COP28 goal. What's there to stop China from accelerating?
Bridge China-European cultural differences within business environments
1wChina's biggest contribution to climate change, has been to make solar energy, wind energy, and electric vehicles affordable for everyone. That's worth far more than any money donations!
Bezieler ArmenTeKort | System solutions to end endemic poverty from child-to-poor adult in a developed society.
1wIs it conceivable that the widening gap in alternative energy capacity between China and the West is not only due to China's innovation and implementation ability, but also influenced by Western lobbying power to hit the 'pause button' on green energy and electric vehicles?